Taking place at the Queensbridge Square, in Melbourne, Australia, on 14th November 2015, the Wonderful Indonesia Festival 2015 successfully promoted the wonders of Indonesia in the land of down under. Featuring traditional arts, popular music performances from Indonesia and Australia, a culinary bazaar, as well as promotion of tourist attractions and destinations the festival also involved the Indonesian community in Australia.

The open air festival was a collaborative work of the Ministry of Tourism and the Indonesian Overseas Students Association.

The Wonderful Indonesia festival received a warm reception from the Australian crowds. Enthusiasm was especially shown for Indonesia's distinct popular culinary dishes that included Sate Madura, Pempek Palembang, Sup Konro Makassar, Padang Food, and more which were almost all immediately plunged into. Meanwhile, the Kolintang Wooden xylophone ensemble, Javanese Gamelan Orchestra, a Balinese traditional Dance, as well as North Sumatra and Aceh’s traditional dances with their bright colorful costumes captivated the audience.

“With the warm, welcoming atmosphere here, the Wonderful Indonesia brand can be easily promoted. Let’s just wait for the impact and contribution to our target of tourist arrivals from Australia” stated the Minister of Tourism, Arief Yahya to the Indonesian press.

Secondly, the Minister also seeks to attract more young Australians. More Australian youth are expected to visit Indonesia which offers a wide array of stunning beauty and exhiliration that are in its 17,000 islands,that include some of the world's best coral reefs and amazing underwaterlife in Raja Ampat, Wakatobi, the Komodo National Park,Derawan, Sangalaki and Maratua, and a whole deal more.

The third mission is to explain that although Bali is most popular worldwide, Bali is not the only fantastic tourist destination in Indonesia and that there are a lot more of equally enchanting destinations all across the country. Bali will be placed as hub to other fascinating destinations in this sprawling Indonesian Archipelago.

Arief Yahya thanked the Consul General of Indonesia for Victoria and Tasmania, Dewi Wahab, and Robert Doyle, Lord Mayor of Melbourne for their participation in the festival. The Australian Minister of Multicultural Affairs, Robin David Scott also expressed his enthusiasm and expected that The Wonderful Indonesia Festival will return to highlight Melbourne next year when the event is projected to be held at the Federation Square.(Indonesia.Travel)